The increases for reckless driving were slightly less, but not much. Hawaii residents can expect to see their insurance increase by 287% after a reckless driving violation. California drivers could see as much as a 180% increase and Illinois drivers 115%. Even the states with the lowest percentages like Alaska (24%) and Louisiana (29%) saw double-digit increases.

If you happen to have a lead foot, there will definitely be a rate increase, but not to the same extent as some of the other violations. Offenders charged with exceeding the posted speed limit by 31 mph or more saw increases ranging from a high of 103% in Illinois to a low of just 9% in Missouri. The majority of increases ranged from 29% down to 11%.

Why the disparity in rate increases? It depends on the information insurers can use to determine rates. “All states have varying rules and regulations on what insurers are allowed to do or not do with the rates in their states,” explains Laura Adams, senior insurance analyst for InsuranceQuotes.com. “Different factors will affect the rate.”

For example, California’s Proposition 103 places severe limitations on what information can be used to determine auto rates, basing them strictly on the insured’s driving record, the number of miles driven annually and the years of driving experience. Factors like credit scores, marital status, education and income do not come into play at all.

Increases, the gift that keeps on giving

An offending driver can expect to pay increased rates for the next three to five years says Adams. “Each MVA has a limit on how long the violation can stay on your record. Most are at about five years. If you get a second violation within that period of time, the numbers could go even higher,” she adds.

Drivers who have moving violations on their license are likely to see a higher increase than if they file an actual claim. Adams says this is because moving violations are an indicator of risk and send a signal to the insurer that a driver may be a greater risk than originally thought, and companies insure against that increased risk. Drivers who file a claim will usually see an increase only if they are at fault. But insurers also know that when a driver files a claim, the chances increase that there will be a second one within a given period of time.

If you do end up with a moving violation on your record, there is some good news. Adams says that most states allow you to go to traffic school or take a defensive driving course, which will remove the points from your license for a minor violation. She advises that drivers go to a school in person or take a course online, which can cost as little as $25. “Once you complete the course, the points will be removed from your license and that’s the red flag to the insurer.” If you take action quickly enough, it’s possible that the points could be removed before the insurer is even notified.

Adams also advises drivers who see an increase on their insurance after a violation to consider looking at other insurers. “Every company has their own algorithm that they use. If you have an increase after a moving violation, that’s the time to shop for another company, since each company factors it differently.”

If you want to see how much a moving violation can affect your insurance rates, InsuranceQuotes.com has a calculation tool here.